The Helis Foundation
Historical FunderNew Orleans, Louisiana · EIN 72-6020536 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$2.4M
Organizations funded62
Typical grant$15,000
Total assets$88.3M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $40,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | David A Kerstein President |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 St Charles Ave Suite 2600, New Orleans LA 70170 |
| Phone | 5045231831 |
| Form and materials | Application should be in appropriate typed letter form. Include brochures or other pertinent information and establish the qualifications of the applicant to receive funds from a private foundation as provided for under the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations. |
| Deadlines | There are no submission deadlines |
| Restrictions | There are no restrictions or limitations on awards except that the organization must be qualified as provided for under the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
14% of grants went outside Louisiana.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ogden Museum of Southern Art | New Orleans, LA | Support of General Operating Expenses, Support of the Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibitions and Other Exhibitions, and LA Residents Free… | $554,486 |
| New Orleans Museum of Art | New Orleans, LA | General, Operating Expenses, Free Admission for Art & A/C, Free Admission for LA Residents | $254,000 |
| US Biennial Inc | New York, NY | Support of General Operations | $150,000 |
| United Way of Southeast Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | Blueprint for Prosperity | $125,000 |
| Arts Council of New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | Building Wall Mural - Unframed | $110,000 |
| New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation | New Orleans, LA | Digital Systems Lead Position, Hospitality Lounge, Curitorial Work | $109,500 |
| Louisiana Children's Museum | New Orleans, LA | Operating Expenses, Free Saturdays in October, and Art of All | $60,000 |
| Friends of WWOZ Inc | New Orleans, LA | Jazz Festing in Place - WWOZ-FM | $55,000 |
| Preservation Resource Center | New Orleans, LA | General Operating Expense | $53,500 |
| Second Harvester of Greater NO & Acadiana | New Orleans, LA | General Support | $50,000 |
| The National World War II Museum | New Orleans, LA | Building Fund | $50,000 |
| Rivers Institute for Contemporary & Thought | New Orleans, LA | Research and Development | $50,000 |
| Wwno 899 | New Orleans, LA | Enhance Current Cultural Content and Reporting | $50,000 |
| Ochsner Clinic Foundation | New Orleans, LA | Support the named Healing Arts Garden in memory of William G. Helis Jr. | $50,000 |
| Louisiana Endowment for the Humantities | New Orleans, LA | Passing it On: The Art of John T Scott | $40,000 |
| Newcomb Art Museum | New Orleans, LA | General Support field trips and youth programming | $40,000 |
| Children's Hospital | New Orleans, LA | Mariposa Butterfly Swing Installment | $37,920 |
| New Orleans Ballet Association | New Orleans, LA | General Operating Expenses and Ovation Program | $35,000 |
| The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Institute | New Orleans, LA | Artists in Residence Program | $35,000 |
| Louisiana Contemporary Museum | New Orleans, LA | Operating Expenditures | $30,000 |
| Bridge House Corporation | New Orleans, LA | Scholarship Fund | $25,000 |
| Bureau of Governmental Research | New Orleans, LA | Support of Civil Service in the New Orleans Project | $25,000 |
| ARC Athens Inc | Bronx, NY | Support Organizational Operations | $25,000 |
| KID smART | New Orleans, LA | School Resources Budget for Art Supplies | $21,500 |
| New Orleans Film Society | New Orleans, LA | Community Programming | $21,000 |
| Tennessee WilliamsNew Orleans Literary | New Orleans, LA | Literary Discussion and Performances Including Free Workshops | $20,000 |
| Young AspirationsYoung Artist | New Orleans, LA | Artist in Residence Program | $20,000 |
| New Orleans African American Museum | New Orleans, LA | Support Callas & Conversation Series | $20,000 |
| New Orleans Ballet Theatre | New Orleans, LA | Support for students attendance of the Nutcracker | $20,000 |
| Public Affairs Research Council of LA | Baton Rouge, LA | General Operating Expenses | $20,000 |
| Young Audiences of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | Baby Artsplay Program | $18,500 |
| Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Dancing Grounds | New Orleans, LA | Educational programing | $15,000 |
| Contemporary Arts Center | New Orleans, LA | General Operating Expense, Art for All, Art of A/C | $13,680 |
| St Augustine High School | New Orleans, LA | Scholarship Fund | $11,800 |
| Boy Scouts of America | Metairie, LA | In Memory Donation, Support Pillars of Scouting | $10,000 |
| Crimestoppers Inc | Metairie, LA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Liberty's Kitchen Inc | New Orleans, LA | Youth Development Program | $10,000 |
| Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center | Covington, LA | Support Patient Transport Program | $10,000 |
| United Negro College Fund | New Orleans, LA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Urban League of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Storm King Center | New Windsor, NY | Support of 2024 Season | $10,000 |
| Committee for a Better New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | Support of General Operating Expenses | $10,000 |
| Louisiana Museum Foundation | New Orleans, LA | Support the Founders Event | $10,000 |
| The Ella Project | New Orleans, LA | Pro Bono Legal Counsel for Artists | $10,000 |
| City Park New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | Support - Heart of the Park | $10,000 |
| Metropolitan Crime Commission Inc | New Orleans, LA | General support | $5,000 |
| New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation | New Orleans, LA | Stake out for Justice | $5,000 |
| Louisiana Appleseed | New Orleans, LA | General Support | $5,000 |
| New Orleans Hispanic Hertiage Foundation | New Orleans, LA | Sponsor Azucar Event | $5,000 |
| Tulane University | New Orleans, LA | New Orleans Book Festival | $5,000 |
| Greater New Orleans Foundation | New Orleans, LA | Rehousing Flex Fund - Homelessness Initiative | $5,000 |
| New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund | New Orleans, LA | general support | $5,000 |
| Boys Club & Girls Club of Metro Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | End of Year Campaign | $5,000 |
| Friends of Lafitte Corridor Inc | New Orleans, LA | Greenway Trail Banner | $2,500 |
| Delgado Community College Foundation | New Orleans, LA | general support | $2,500 |
| Downtown Development District | New Orleans, LA | NOLA Awards | $2,500 |
| St Joesph's Monastery | Natchez, MS | In Memory of donation | $2,500 |
| Young Leadership Council | New Orleans, LA | General support | $2,000 |
| MD Anderson Cancer Center | Houston, TX | In memory of donation | $1,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 62 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,394,486 | 84 |
| 2023 | $2,429,976 | 74 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 17, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202533219349101683
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 72-6020536
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.